BOJ Governor Ueda Highlights Uncertainty Over Future Interest Rate Hikes 
Spain’s Industrial Output Records Steady Growth in October Amid Revised September Figures 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
Dollar Holds Steady as Markets Shift Focus to 2026 Rate Cut Expectations 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Gold prices inched higher during Asian trading on Monday, supported by safe-haven demand amid rising global trade tensions and political uncertainty in Japan. Spot gold rose 0.4% to $3,364.21 per ounce, while September gold futures gained 0.4% to $3,371.42. The precious metal held within a $200 range since April, even as investors turned cautious ahead of the looming August 1 U.S. tariff deadline.
Concerns escalated after the Wall Street Journal reported that the European Union was preparing retaliatory measures against new U.S. tariffs. The proposed duties, ranging from 20% to 50%, include a baseline 15% tariff on European imports, sparking uncertainty over trade policy. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick reaffirmed Sunday that August 1 was a firm deadline.
Additional haven demand emerged after Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party lost its majority in the upper house over the weekend. The political shift raised concerns over Japan’s economic and trade strategies, pushing the yen slightly higher.
The dollar eased slightly after a two-week climb, supporting broader gains in metals. Platinum rose 1% to $1,439.59 per ounce, while silver gained 0.3% to $38.3045. Both metals have significantly outperformed gold in 2025, driven by tighter supply expectations and growing industrial demand. Platinum is up 29.2% year-to-date, nearing an 11-year high, while silver, up 53.5%, approaches a 14-year peak.
In industrial metals, London Metal Exchange copper futures rose 0.6% to $9,846.45 per ton, and COMEX copper futures edged up 0.2% to $5.6170 per pound, buoyed by a softer dollar and steady demand expectations.
Markets remain focused on developments surrounding U.S. tariffs and global political shifts, key factors likely to influence safe-haven flows and commodity prices in the near term.
